Vietnam, 1968. The start of Tet, the lunar new year, is only weeks away. The new year will bring the Year of the Monkey, and soon the lives of four people will collide.

Marine Sergeant Michael Warner. After barely surviving his first tour of duty in Vietnam, the tough Marine has just returned. Warner has all the reasons in the world not to come back-but they only matter to him.

Frank Monin. As regional supervisor for the CIA, Monin has been in Vietnam for more than five years. Now Monin has a mission to implement the Agency's newest plan to eliminate the Viet Cong infrastructure-and he prays it will work.

Wally Brumsfield. As bureau chief for the Associated Press in Saigon, Brumsfield is an experienced journalist adept at finding the story behind the story-and he is about to discover the biggest story of his life.

Tran Van Ky. A barber at the American base in Phu Bai, Tran is also one of the highest-ranking Viet Cong cadres in Vietnam-and Tran and his cohorts are planning a Tet surprise for the Americans.

Four strangers. Four agendas. All caught up in the most controversial plan of the entire war-the Phoenix Program.

Cover Design Concept: Clayton Thomas